Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Experiences Of Queer Students Of Color Within Predominantly White Institutions, Carina Linares

Student Research Symposium

This study will provide an intersectional analysis and consider the role of queer frameworks in order to understand the experiences of Queer Students of Color attending historically white institutions of higher education. Data will be collected through Zoom interviews and will explore how multiple marginalized identities manifest themselves and how these intersections are navigated and experienced on campuses of higher education. This research will explore both micro and macro level patterns of discrimination and racism and will attempt to reveal issues including but not limited to structural and institutional racism, homophobia and heterosexism, and erasure of minorities' identities. This research …

Pet Therapy On College Campuses: Putting The “Paw” In Pawsitive Mental Health, Tyler Cook

Student Research Symposium

College students often are not able to receive the help they need when they have mental health problems. Research has shown that pet therapy is a very effective and practical solution to this shortage of resources. It has been used to help students who suffer from common concerns such as depression, stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The research and accounts in this essay communicates how this therapy works and why it works. By using online databases, I collected primary sources and diverse statistics to evaluate the topic. As I analyzed the data I found that pet therapy is highly-favored by college …

A Legal-Historical Exploration Of Latinx Racialization Within The United States Education System​, Carina Linares, Anavae Remetio

Student Research Symposium

There are only five court cases that made it to federal court that dealt with school desegregation and Latinx children before the famed Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. We can see discrimination and racism against Latinxs in each of these cases, and this segregation and discrimination occurred throughout the entire country. These acts of racism were incredibly common, and although some of the cases were won, effective change has not yet been achieved. We see the importance of racialization for Latinos over time. The courts debate a lot about whether Latinos should be considered white or not, …

The Interdependence Of Fat Talk In Father-Son Dyads And Its Effect On Body Esteem: A Quantitative Study Proposal, Marissa Saez

Student Research Symposium

Our society has become overly fascinated with bodily appearance, and much of this obsession has materialized within our conversations with others (Vashi, 2016). This type of speech, wherein individuals speak negatively about their bodies, is known as fat talk (Nichter and Vuckovic, 1994). Although some may believe that the effects of fat talk are minimal, the robust research surrounding fat talk has indicated that the effects of fat talk reach far beyond oneself (Arroyo & Andersen, 2016; Chow & Tan, 2016; Salk & Engeln-Maddox, 2011). However, past research has not examined the effects of fat talk within father-son relationships, notwithstanding …

Rural Funding Bias: What Do Foundation Decision-Makers Think About Rural Nonprofits?, Janice Snow

Student Research Symposium

Background: Typically, rural NPOs receive less funding per capita than urban NPOs in the U.S. (2,1). Private foundation funding is one of the largest sources of revenue for NPOs, but only 6.8% of funding from private foundations is allocated to rural NPOs (2). Many rural NPOs are smaller and lack grant writing or fundraising training, technology, and leadership experience (3). Recent literature focuses on building nonprofit capacity to become competitive for funding. This perspective does not consider bias as playing a role in this funding gap (4,5,6). For example, foundations may seek out urban nonprofits because they have greater potential …

Music And Mental Health Disorders, Caroline Schaner

Student Research Symposium

My research outlines the preventative measures that music can have on depression and similar disorders. I cover several neurotransmitters, but focus primarily on Dopamine and Serotonin. The goal of my research is to educate teens and young adults on how music can be used as a preventative measure to delay or eliminate the onset of major depressive disorder.

Should I Study Abroad In Sweden?, Sydney Fisk

Student Research Symposium

In my research, I was trying to answer the question of if I should study abroad in Sweden? My research aims to investigate whether Sweden is a safe place for me to go as well as what it would be like to live there for an extended amount of time. By evaluating sources from a variety of people, I was able to inform my argument on why I should study abroad in Sweden. I focused my research by mostly looking at popular sources like blog posts from study abroad programs and students studying abroad in Sweden, but I also found …

Youth And Psychological Disorders, Charles Dvorak

Student Research Symposium

Youth under the age of 16 are underrepresented when it comes to psychological disorders and treatment. Adults tend to associate their problems with just factors of life and/puberty, and this can lead to even more problems. Recently I noticed my own mental health taking a toll from my childhood, as well as since I moved away from college, I am now an outsider to my friends who are still in high school. The problem is not that the youth do suffer from psychological disorders, it’s that people do not accept that fact and therefore, don’t give them the time of …

Purity Culture And Its Effects On Women, Faith Beasterfield

Student Research Symposium

The purity movement, which stems from evangelical circles in the 1980s, is dedicated to keeping teens and unmarried adults from becoming sexually active before marriage. Although this message is encouraged for both men and women, this research project seeks to investigate the specific impact that purity culture has had on the lives of women. The research was done using online materials, which include primary and secondary sources, with an emphasis on first-hand accounts of women within the movement. The results indicate that purity culture has had a major impact on how society views the worth of women who do not …

The Well-Being Of Women Of Color During Covid-19, Shari Linares, Hannah Baxter

Student Research Symposium

Well-being for WOC is a media project that examined the differences in well-being for women of color throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. This project was based on the Household Pulse Survey that collected data each week throughout the pandemic. Well-being was defined through the variables mental health, physical health, and financial security, and we also polled our community through the Instagram page to understand the experiences of women of color in our community. We found that race is in fact a very large factor in well-being throughout the pandemic.

Detecting Accurate Emotions In Faces, Marisa Davis, Emma Greenwood

Student Research Symposium

Anger race bias is the tendency to misidentify expressions of emotion, specifically anger, in Black or racially ambiguous faces (Hutchings & Haddock, 2008). Hutchings & Haddock (2008) found that Black faces are more likely to be perceived as angry by people high in implicit bias. Since January 1st, 2015, 119 unarmed Black males have been shot and killed by police (Washington Post, 2020). When police officers perceive a threat, they are more likely to shoot, and mistaking expressions such as fear for anger causes the perception of increased threat that can lead to inaccurate responses such as excessive force (Correll …

Upward Mobility And Affordable Housing, Amy Mackliet, Trevor Tarter

Student Research Symposium

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid rehousing can provide safe, stable housing for vulnerable homeless populations such as those experiencing substance abuse disorder, mental illness, and chronic homelessness (Aubry et al., 2020). We evaluated and analyzed research articles on supportive housing interventions and upward mobility. Literature was collected from online scholarly databases. Evidence supports Rapid Rehousing and PSH interventions in improving targeted outcomes such as mental health, substance abuse use, cost-effectiveness, housing stability, and quality of life (Aubry et al., 2020; (Miler et al., 2021). Further, the literature supports that PSH and Rapid Rehousing are cost-effective models when considering cost …

Heart2heart: Discrimination-Based Stress Reduction In Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color, Shari Linares

Student Research Symposium

Heart2Heart is a theoretically-grounded racial-healing intervention for people of color created by people of color to help reduce levels of discrimination-based stress they may be experiencing. H2H contains definitions on racial trauma and how it affects us, a Racism Recovery Plan, and allows for skills based learning on detecting Microaggressions, using Microinterventions, and learning mindfulness skills. H2H originally began as an in-person intervention using a multiple-baseline design with only Latinx students with promising results, however we had to move online through zoom due to the pandemic's effects. This called for an online delivery system, which is what H2H Online will …

“Me Adjacent”: Alternate Personas And Virtual Worlds, Katie Snow, Gracie Wilkinson, Nichole Bresee, Whitney Hall, Leah Downey

Student Research Symposium

Research shows that people who engage in role-playing games (RPG), from video games to tabletop games, can derive feelings of achievement, as well as social and immersive experiences which can help them reach eudaimonic and hedonic states (Snodgrass et al. 2019). However, gaming has also been linked to negative emotions related to “problematic” and “addictive” play, related to toxic communities and compulsive gameplay. In this project, we examine how avatars — digital and imaginary representations of players — shape emotional states. Through free listing and pile sorting interviews, our results show how gamers relate to their avatars, and how these …

Anxiety In Teenagers: Causes And Reducers, Maryjane Toponce

Student Research Symposium

I talk about what anxiety is and causes. I also talk about types of anxiety and how people can reduce their anxiety.

School-Based Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Adolescents With Anxiety: A Pilot Trial, Julie M. Petersen, Carter H. Davis, Tyler L. Renshaw, Michael E. Levin, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent diagnoses in youth, often resulting in impaired social and school functioning. Research on treatments for youth anxiety is primarily based in traditional clinical settings. However, integrating youth psychotherapies into the school environment improves access to evidence-based care. The present study is a pilot, randomized waitlist-controlled trial of a school-based, group acceptance and commitment therapy-based (ACT) intervention for adolescents with anxiety. Students at two separate schools (N = 26) with elevated anxiety were randomized to a 12-week waitlist or to immediate treatment. Participants in the immediate treatment condition reported statistically significant decreases …

Introduction And Acknowledgments, Matt Wappett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Welcoming And Inclusive Farmers Markets: A Community Of Practice To Encourage Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion, Jaclyn Pace, Regan Emmons, Kelsey Hall, Celina Wille, Lacee Jimenez, Carrie Durward, Roslynn Brain-Mccann

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Farmers markets, as vibrant hubs for community connection and stimulus to the local economy, often have staff, vendor, and customer demographics that are predominantly white. The Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN) convened a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community of Practice with market managers statewide to assist markets in becoming more welcoming and inclusive of historically excluded populations.

How To Read A Scientific Article, Usu Libraries

All E-Learning Resources

This module will provide tips for reading and analyzing a scientific article.

On Your Marc, Get Set, Code!, Anna-Maria Arnljots, Paul Daybell, Kurt Alan Meyer, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen, Liz Woolcott

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

How are MARC records performing in our search environment? This presentation will look at the process and results of a research project that analyzed how users’ search terms matched up with MARC fields, as well as how and where MARC records were displayed in search results lists. Presenters will discuss the process, the results of the project, and outline how attendees can implement similar research projects at their institutions, including tools and techniques they can use to analyze how their own records are surfacing in a search environment.

Moderators And Predictors In A Parent Hearing Aid Management Ehealth Program, Guadalupe G. San Miguel, Karen F. Muñoz, Tyson Barrett, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Objective: Consistent hearing-aid use is essential for spoken language development of children who are hard of hearing. A recent randomized controlled trial of an eHealth hearing aid management education program found the intervention increased knowledge, perceptions, confidence, and device monitoring among parents of young children. Yet, it is not known which variables can be a point of emphasis to improve treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential moderators and predictors in the eHealth program.

Design: Randomized controlled trial

Study Sample: Parents (N=78) of children (42 months or younger) were randomized to the intervention or treatment-as-usual (TAU) …

Event-Related Correlates Of Evolving Trust Evaluations, Ariel W. Snowden, Allison S. Hancock, Catalin V. Buhusi, Christopher M. Warren

Psychology Student Research

Accurate decisions about whether to trust someone are critical for adaptive social behavior. Previous research into trustworthiness decisions about face stimuli have focused on individuals. Here, decisions about groups of people are made cumulatively on the basis of sequences of faces. Participants chose to either increase or withdraw an initial investment in mock companies based on how trustworthy the company representatives (face stimuli) appeared. Companies were formed using participant trust ratings from the previous week, to create strong trustworthy, weak trustworthy, weak untrustworthy, and strong untrustworthy companies. Participants made faster, more accurate decisions for companies carrying stronger evidence (e.g., faces …

Community Solar Dehydrator Plans, Kate Weigel, Roslynn Mccann

All Current Publications

As interest in home gardening and self sufficiency surged during the pandemic, many are looking for ways to preserve foods from their newfound harvests. This fact sheet provides an overview of how to build a community solar food dehydrator for food preservation, based on our experience doing so for the community of Moab, Utah. A list of needed building materials, tools, and specific plans are included.

Washington Dairy Survey 2020, Jennifer E. Givens, Michael D. Briscoe

Browse all Datasets

These data are part of the dissertation research of Michael D. Briscoe. This research analyzed the association between modernization and farmer alienation from their work and their cows, as well as their overall life satisfaction. The results show that modernization has mixed effects on farmer alienation. This statistical finding was supported by interviews with farmers, who expressed that large farms can make it hard to maintain a relationship with their cows, but that technology actually replaces negative aspects of this relationship and allows for new forms of interaction.

Does Emotion Training Reduce Implicit Racial Bias?, Marisa Davis, Emma Greenwood

Research on Capitol Hill

USU junior Marisa and senior Emma are Utah natives studying psychology. Both are Honors students and the team is leading this project through a student grant they received. Some people mistakenly perceive Black people as being angry when they are actually showing neutral or fearful expressions, which puts Black individuals at higher risk in police interactions. Marisa and Emma have been developing and testing trainings on emotion recognition to challenge this implicit bias, which they hope will be implemented in police forces in the future. The two see undergraduate research as a way to help other people. While they agree …

Improving Climate Models Can Help Ensure Better National Security Response To Drought And Extreme Weather., Chase Dean Harward

Research on Capitol Hill

USU senior Chase, a West Jordan native, is an Honors student. He studies Political Science and credits his moderate political ideology to his parents’ opposing political views. Chase’s research stems from his passion for Utah’s public lands. As a state especially vulnerable to drought, heat waves, and extreme cold weather, Utah would benefit from more accurate climate and weather forecasts. He applied machine learning to climate models, then compared these predictions to actual weather systems to test the models’ accuracy. This is Chase’s first research experience and he wishes he had started earlier. “It’s really awesome getting to apply what …

Oral Histories Help Document The Impact Of Covid-19 On Cache Valley's Latinx Community, Virginia Hernandez, Jasmine Morales

Research on Capitol Hill

Sophomore Jasmine, of Box Elder, is president of the USU LatinX Creative Society, the Parent Committee for Centro de la Familia in Box Elder, and the Region Policy Council for the Migrant Program. She studies social work and Spanish. Junior Virginia is a Spanish teaching major and recipient of an Institute for Mexicans Abroad scholarship for her studies in Mexican language and culture. Jasmine led this project to interview a dozen Cache Valley families about their personal experiences during the pandemic as members of the Latinx community. The documentary these students are producing will discuss the ways that their culture …

Melting Arctic Ice Exposes Possible Conflict For Us, China, Russia, Madeleine Alder

Research on Capitol Hill

USU senior Maddie, a Salt Lake City native, is an Honors student, Peak Summer Research Fellow, and USU Institute of Land, Water and Air intern. She studies Political Science. Maddie’s research dissects how rising temperatures and the resulting polar ice caps on our planet might impact international relations for the US. The opening of additional shipping lanes in previously-frozen waters could cause conflict between key actors. Maddie has been involved in research for nearly all of her undergrad degree, and says, “I love learning and I get excited to discover new connections between topics I am interested in. I like …

Only 7.8% Of Eligible Vehicles In Utah Enroll In The Utah Road Usage Charge (Ruc) Program, Tyson Bomsta, Joe Davis

Research on Capitol Hill

Senior Tyson and sophomore Joe are Center for Growth Opportunity Research Fellows studying economics and finance at USU. The duo focused their research on their native Utah. The increase in fuel-efficient and electric cars has begun to impact Utah’s ability to fund roadwork, and this is likely to become a more serious problem as time goes on. Taxing gas is no longer a viable way to raise the funds necessary, and Joe and Tyson are looking at ways to reform our tax structure to keep Utahns on the road. Both students agree that research is the best way to learn. …

Covid Anxiety And Stress In Higher Ed (Cash), Letitia Bergantz, Christopher E. Curtis

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

College is a time of increased stress and anxiety. The current changes in attendance and methods of instruction due to COVID-19 have demonstrated even higher levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health issues. Tailoring interventions to the specific needs of a campus community has been proposed as an appropriate means to the current crisis. This study identifies the mental health needs of students at a rural college as they pertain to the effects of the pandemic.

Questionnaires collected data from college students (N=33) at Athens State University, a rural university in …